Bredesen Agrees with Beavers and Blackburn?
One's a moderate Democrat, the other two are conservative Republicans, but they seem to agree on the proper approach to the chronically-in-crisis Tennessee budget.

From the Jan. 22, 2003, Memphis Commercial Appeal: "Phil Bredesen...told Cabinet members to work on plans to shave up to 5 percent from department budgets."

From the March 24,2002, Knoxville News-Sentinel: "Some conservative legislators - notably including Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Brentwood, and Rep. Mae Beavers, R-Mount Juliet - have long argued for across-the-board cuts of 5 percent or whatever figure is necessary to balance the budget. But Finance Commissioner Warren Neel and many legislative leaders dismiss the idea as impractical at best or impossible at worst."

Thanks to Ben Cunningham of Tennessee Tax Revolt for sending those. Hmm. Guess Neel was wrong.

For more on Bredesen whipping out the "Big Hatchet," check out South Knox Bubba's blog, which also links to Memphis Mike Hollihan's Half-Bakered blog for even more good commentary.